The purpose of this study is to determine whether daily supplementation of young children in Nepal with either zinc, iron-folic acid, or both can reduce mortality and morbidity. Young children in Nepal have numerous nutritional deficiencies and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Zinc and/or iron supplementation may be a cost-effective method for reducing these risks.

Mortality rates among preschool age children in Nepal and many other developing countries remain high despite significant progress made over the past 20 years. There remain significant nutritional deficiencies in these populations, especially important are vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Comparisons: In this study, we are comparing the morbidity and mortality experience for children 1-36 months of age randomized to one of four daily supplementation regimens: placebo, zinc alone, iron-folic acid alone, zinc + iron-folic acid.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

1 Month to 36 Months

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

Yes

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

All children 1-35 months of age living in 30 Village Development Committees of Sarlahi District in southern Nepal.

Exclusion Criteria:

Parent refusal

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00109551